Articles by Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)
State gets injunction against “The Post”
(MISA/IFEX) – On 19 May 1998, the Zambian government obtained an ex-parte injunction barring “The Post”, a privately owned newspaper, from publishing statements made by state witnesses due to testify in the treason trial of those allegedly involved in the October 1997 attempted coup. The trial is due to begin on 1 June 1998. The […]
Newspaper offices burnt down
(MISA/IFEX) – According to MISA, the “Mail & Guardian” newspaper reported in its 22-28 May 1998 edition that the offices of three southern Cape newspapers have been burnt to the ground in an apparent revenge attack for reporting on the activities of gangs in the region. The “Mail & Guardian” report stated that the offices […]
MISA-Malawi protests government’s delay to enact Communications Bill
(MISA/IFEX) – The Malawi Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Malawi) has strongly condemned its government’s delays in enacting the long-awaited Communications Bill and thereby liberalising the communications sector. **Updates IFEX alert of 14 May 1998** In a strongly worded protest letter sent to the Speaker of Parliament, Rodwell Munyenyembe, and copied to […]
Journalists subpoenaed to testify against MP in court
(MISA/IFEX) – According to MISA, two journalists working for the opposition “Daily Times” have been subpoenaed to testify for the state against Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Member of Parliament for Lilongwe South-East, Hetherwick Ntaba, in a case in which Ntaba is being prosecuted for calling Malawi’s President, Bakili Muluzi, “silly.” The journalists, Mabvoto Banda and […]
Editor sues for phone tapping
(MISA/IFEX) – The privately owned “Post” newspaper reported in its 12 May 1998 edition that its editor-in-chief, Fred M’membe, has brought a lawsuit against Francis Ndhlovu, the Inspector General of the Zambian police, for illegal phone tapping. According to the newspaper, M’membe wants the courts to declare that Ndhlovu should be prosecuted for his actions. […]
EU concerns over delays to enact Communications Bill
(MISA/IFEX) – One of Malawi’s major donors, the European Union (EU), has expressed concern over delays to enact the draft Communications Bill, as well as other bills considered crucial for the development of democracy. The EU is especially concerned that President Bakili Muluzi’s government, which was swept to power in May 1994 – after promising […]
Priest demands arrest of journalist
(MISA/IFEX) – An Anglican priest has been demanding that the Lingadzi Police, in the capital city of Lilongwe, arrest Charles Masapi, a freelance journalist and correspondent with the “Daily Times.” According to MISA, the priest’s request is attributed to an article by Masapi, which appeared in the 20 April 1998 issue of the “Daily Times” […]
Malawi police may sue newspaper
(MISA/IFEX) – Malawi’s weekly newspaper, “The New Vision”, reported on 9 May 1998, that police intend to sue the opposition “Daily Times” for publishing what “The New Vision” termed “unfounded, inaccurate, misleading and distorted” stories about the police. In its front-page story, “The New Vision” said the police will soon engage a private lawyer to […]